LioraI slipped out of my dress completely, then reached up to undo the band holding my hair in place.After that, I stepped into the shower and turned on the water. It hit my skin with a rush, warm and steady. I leaned my forehead against the tiled wall, letting the spray wash over me as my thoughts drifted, of course they did, back to the elevator.I hadn’t even known I could get that scared. It was like all the walls I built around myself just cracked open in one go.And worse? I had to fall apart right in front of that damn asshole.I gritted my teeth.God.This is just so annoying. And the only thing I was glad about right now was the fact that I hadn’t worn makeup today. At least I didn’t have to scrub anything off, except to just let the water keep running over me until I felt… not okay exactly, but better. And that's exactly what I did. Eventually, I turned off the shower.I grabbed the towel I’d brought in with me and dried myself off, then slipped into my pajamas. I’d made
LioraI’ve never really been the brave one.Not at first.But life has a way of pushing you, teaching you things you never thought you'd need to learn. And bravery… yeah, that was one of the things I had no choice but to learn after Dad died.Because everything fell apart so fast. Mom was a mess, barely holding it together, and Caleb... he didn’t take it well either. I guess everyone had their own way of breaking.So I did the only thing I could.I picked myself up.I wiped my face, stood tall, and stepped into the space Dad left behind, even though it was way too big for someone like me.From that point on, I started carrying things, worries, responsibilities, people, things I shouldn’t have had to carry, but did anyway.Because if I didn’t... who would? And that thought has always kept me going.Never show weakness. Never let it crack through, even when you're falling apart inside.Smile. Stand tall. Pretend you're fine, because someone has to be.But right now… at this moment… tra
Liora“Well, looks like the dinner party’s still on,” I said coolly, already turning toward the stairs. “Then I better go get ready.”I didn’t wait for a reply. Just kept climbing.***I checked the mirror, dragging the necklace chain a little to the left until it sat just right on my collarbone. I picked up the small black purse from the dresser, stuffing in my phone. No way was I wearing any of those barely-there dresses he’d stocked up on. Let him save those for whoever moves in after me when this ridiculous one year contract ends. I had my own dress, simple, black, not anything expensive, but it's mine.I ran the gloss across my lips slowly, then smacked them together once. I didn’t need to look like a fantasy anyway. I just want to be back soon so I can contact Caleb. When I came downstairs, he was already in the living room. Fully suited up. At least he hadn’t hovered outside the bedroom door like some overbearing shadow. His gaze flicked slowly and deliberately over me when
Tristan Cole Flashback “Are you okay?”The voice was small, soft like the flutter of wings, and it reached me before I could bury myself completely in silence.I lifted my head slowly, my eyes stinging from the weight of everything I wasn’t allowed to feel. And there she was. A little girl with wide beautiful eyes and a chocolate bar clutched in her tiny hand.She held it out to me without saying anything else.“I don’t want it, leave.” I mumbled, ducking my head and curling tighter into myself, my arms folded over my knees. I didn’t need charity. I didn’t need pity.But she didn’t leave. She definitely will when she's tired. That's what I thought,However I couldn't help but peek after a few minutes, she was still standing there, still staring at me, like she hadn’t even heard me refuse her bluntly. And unexpectedly so, her gaze wasn’t judgmental. It wasn’t sad either. Just…expectant… Then she smiled. And that smile, it was too bright for a child that small, “Daddy said you’re
Liora My hands were clenched tightly in front of me, fingers twisted together like they could hold back the storm in my chest.The alley was more quieter than I had expected, I glanced left, then right.Still no one. Not even the people I came for were in sight, after all, The message had been clear: “Be here in thirty. Or we'll have to visit your house. And now? Here I am only to see nothing except for dirt and the smell of oil-soaked concrete.I took a shaky breath and shifted my weight, every instinct screaming that I shouldn't be here alone. Of course I shouldn't, I’d snuck out right under Tristan’s nose. So I had to make it back before he even noticed I was gone. The last thing I needed was him sniffing around this part of my life. Assuming he didn’t already know. That man had eyes everywhere after all.After what felt like the longest five minutes I eventually heard a slow, deliberate footsteps behind me and I turned sharply to see him emerging from somewhere around the cor
Liora“What bullshit!” I snapped, shoving him hard in the chest.He barely stumbled a step as he lifted his hands in mock surrender with that infuriating smile still tugging at his lips.“Whoa, easy there, tigress.”“Don’t call me that,” I snapped, glaring at him.“You’re Mrs Cole now.” He took a step forward, eyes narrowing. “Don’t you think you should at least try living like it?”I stood my ground, chest rising and falling fast as I tried to keep it under control, “You don’t get to decide how I live. And just because your name is on a piece of paper doesn’t mean you own me.”“Mm,” he hummed, his gaze dropping briefly to my lips. “Paper or not, you're still my wife.”I clenched my jaw and balled my fists at my sides, my heart hammering. God, he was so good at pushing and taunting, I knew arguing would only entertain him.So I did the only thing I could think of.I turned, stepping out of the closet and into the echoing quiet of the bedroom, crossing to the chair by the window. Sat o